Animated display



F. HOTCHNER ANIMATED DISPLAY May 16, 1950 2 S'heet's-Sheet 1 Filed Nov.24, 1945 Wm m a m W m 0, WT, Q 7 f m m www QW) mm 5 D m INVENTOR.

May 16, 1950 F. HoTcHNER ANIMATED DISPLAY Filed Nov. 24, v1945 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 16, 1950 UNITED STATES APATENT OFFICE2,507,787 ANfMATED DISPLAY Fred Htchner, Los Angeles, Calif. ApplicationNovember 24, i945', serial No. 630,657

(c1. io- 139) 14 Claims.

This invention relates to animated displays applicable in the productionof a wide variety of types of indoor and outdoor signs, exhibits,bulletin boards and decorative installations. It provides suchdevices'constructed to exhibit effects of motion or animation alongcharacter, inscription or decorative outlines to beautify theirappearance, enhance their attractiveness and increase their decorativeand advertising value over that of prior art devices.

i Display effects simulating motion at relatively high speed andextending for considerable distances over the backgrounds of thedisplays are produced by the operation of very simple apparatus in whichthe moving parts are displaced for very short distances and move atrelatively low speed, thus making for simple, low cost and ruggeddevices which consume little power and operate free from mechanicaltrouble under severe service conditions.

The invention provides for the centralization of the driving units in asingle ori/'ery few locations readily accessible for inspection andmaintenance. The moving parts over the backgrounds are' light andsecurely held and free from hazard to persons when the displays areinstalled over traveled locations. The invention may also be practicedby the completion of nonanimated displays already in use by the additionthereto at very moderate cost of the mechanical elements peculiar to mydevice to produce animated displays. Y

The invention makes use of vibratile elements coupled one to the next inseries extending' along feature outlines over the backgrounds ofdisplay.

devices. These elements are constructed and mounted so that, as theyvibrate, they variously modulate the view of the corresponding portionsof the feature outlines. They are connected to each other in such mannerthat the Avibration Yof one `element is transmitted to successiveelements along the series according to the laws of elastic wave motion.For this reason I have .termed the series elastic wave transmissionlines and have described the operation of the devices in thenomenclature of physics.

The invention is embodied in three species distinguished from each otherby the manner in which devices built thereaccording operate to modulatethe view of the feature outlines of the displays.

In the first species the observed animation 'effect is due to the directview of the moving vibratile elements `as they oscillate over theirrespective portions of the display .background 55 vsecond species `ofthe invention.

- preferably including lenses spaced from the background atapproximately focal distances. The transmission line is arranged so thatthe lenses oscillate across an outline detail on the background tomodulate the view thereof and, by the aggregate of the movement of thevarious vibra- 'tile elements, produce a desired animation effect alongthe outline.

The various objects of the invention will be apparent inthe followingspecification read in View of the drawings.

The invention is shown in certain preferred embodiments in theaccompanying drawings in which the same reference numeral is used toindicate the same or the equivalent part throughoutwhen used in severalviews. All mechanisms shown in connection with the disclosure ofindividual species are to be understood as applicable to all of thespecies of the invention in proper adaptation.

In the drawings: f `Figure 1 isl a front elevation of one half of adisplay board, of the general class of road side 0 1' roof signs,exhibiting a design, certain outline features of which are to berendered in `ap` parent animation when the device is in oper-ation.Along the courses of these outlines are shown series' of vibratileelements mechanically associated together in elastic wave transmissionlines, shown inthis' View in the inactive condition with all 'elementsin their medial positions. Because .of the small scale, the finedetailing of the transmission lines ls eliminated. This board is vshownconstructed according .to the second species of the invention, but byslight modification of the detailing of the elements, 'according to theVdescription below, it may be taken to represent the invention in all ofits species. The blank central area is for the usual display copy.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of a vertical sign .having an Ornamentalbrde, according t0 the This view is also simplied as vto the `finedetailing of the lines.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are Zfront elevations ci one vertical half of .thesign of Figure '2 variously modified to illustrate the animation effectproduced by the invention in its three species in action. The elementsof the transmission line are shown displaced in a sinuous line in eachview illustrating the instantaneous appearance of a sine wave travelingin one direction along the line. The fine details of the transmissionlines are omitted in these views because of the small scale.

Figure 3, illustrative of the invention in its first species in whichthe vibratile elements, finished to contrast sharply with thebackground, produce the observed animation by their own motion, showsthe effect as being that of a sinuous wave moving along the border.

Figure 4 illustrates the invention in its second species, in which thevibratile elements produce the animation effect by the progressiveexposure and concealment of portions of the outline painted on thebackground of the sign, the elements themselves preferably beingfinished to a minimum of contrast with the background surface proper.The effect produced is that of short sections of the straight outline onthe background, separated by light areas, moving along the course of theborder.

Figure 5 illustrates the invention in its third species, in which thevibratile elements are of the refracting type, producing the effect ofmotion along the border by variously modulating the View of the outlineon the background as they oscillate thereacross in the special mannerdescribed below. In this construction also the effect is that of shortspaced sections of the straight border following each other in a line.

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation through the background as indicated bythe section line 6--6 in Figure l, showing the various elements of atransmission line in the inactive condition with all elements in theirmedial positions. The view is shortened by the cut-out of themid-section of the line.

Figure '7 is a sectional view of the motive unit taken as indicated bythe section line 1-1 in Figure 6 in projected position with respect tothat view. The crank and driving arm are shown moved to one extremeposition corresponding to extreme displacement of the vibratile elementsto better illustrate the mechanism.

Figure 8 is a projected sectional view of the resistance unit or wavedamper at the opposite end of the line from the motive unit taken asindicated by the section line 3 8 in Figure 6. The rocker arm is in themedial position.

Figure 9 is a perspective View of one of the transmission lines shown inFigure 1, taken from a point of view in front of the plane of thedrawing and in the direction indicated by the arrow A. The line is shownin the inactive condition with all elements in their medial positions.This View shows the line elements carrying surface finishes as requiredfor the practice of the invention in the second species in theembodiment illustrated.

Figure 10 is an enlargement of the upper part of one of the elements inperspective illustrating the formation of the passage through the headof the element for the cable which formation provides the bearing pointfor the cable, against the member at the mid-point through the passage.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a short section of the line includingthree elements showing them with surface finishes as required for thepractice of the invention in the first species in the embodimentillustrated.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic illustration in a view transverse of theline showing the mode of vibration of the elements.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a short section of a transmissionline in which the head of the vibratile elements comprise lensesarranged with respect to the outline inscription on the background toproduce the effect illustrated in Figure 5 according to the thirdspecies of the invention.

Figures 14 and 15 are diagrammatic illustrations of the optics of theoperation of the invention in its third species.

Figure 16 is a cross sectional diagram of the modification of theinvention in its third species in which the inscription outline to beanimated `comprises a luminous tube.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of two vibratile elements fragmentedfrom a transmission line in a modication of the invention suitable foruse in any species in which the elastic member of the vibrating couplecomprises a rubber tube or the like.

Figure 18 is a perspective view of two transmission lines meeting at asharp angle and coupled to each other by a link illustrative of aSuitable means for effecting dynamic junctions between lines.

In Figure l, the display board, indicated generally by numeral I, issupported between decorative columns, such as indicated by 2, and isconstructed according to any of the conventional practices. Usuallythese boards have backgrounds of sheet metal framed by wood or steelbars and provided with open bracing to the ground or other foundation.The typical constructions of the art are adequate for carrying themechanism of my animation with little or no structural change orreenforcement. Ample access to the rear for reaching the drive mechanismis almost always readily had. In any event, provision can be easily madeto reach all the apparatus from the front by suitable boxing or handholes.

On this board is painted an ornamental design, indicated generally bynumeral 3, certain outline features of which are to be rendered animated'when the device is in operation. The display here shown is constructedaccording to the second species of the invention in which the outline onthe background is exposed to view in a particular fashion by thedisplacement of the vibratile elements in response to waves on thetransmission line. In this View the device is shown in the inactivecondition, and therefore the lines of vibratile elements 4, 5 and 6which animate the straight rays, which are indicated by 4', 5' and 6',are covering the lines representing these rays on the background.Likewise the lines of elements 'I and 8 cover the painted sinuous rays,which are indicated by 'l' and 8', on the background.

These lines of vibratile elements are driven by the motors 9, as shownin Figure 6, positioned on the rear surface of the background, the onlyportions of which are visible from the front being the driving arms l0.In the embodiment of the invention used to produce continuous motionalong the outlines I make use of dampers at the opposite ends of thelines, the function of which will be described below. These dampers Ilare also positioned on the rear surface with their driven arms I2 onlyvisible from the front. A flexible cable extends from the motor to thedamper connecting all of the vibratile elements and transmits the wavemotion along the line. The ne details of this cable are not shown ina'soavev this view but are detailed in later described views. All 'ofthe exposed elements of the line, that is motor and damper arnis, cablesand the vibratile elements', are shown in the medial or inactivecondition. y

It is characteristic of this invention that the driving rn'ean's may beconveniently located for electric supply Wires and the service inen.Typically in this illustration it is seen that, While animation isproduced for considerable distances over the background, it is necessaryto bring the electric Wires only to the position ofthe motors at theupper left hand of the board. Furthermore, it is not necessary toprovide an individiial motor for each line of vibratile elements as anymechanical means suitable for the transmission of oscilla-tion may beused to activate a number ofy lines of animation from a central motor ata convenient location.

In Figure 2 is shown a sign of the vertical type, i,

indicated by I 5, having a decorative border, generally indicated by I6,two vertical lines of which, indicated by I'l and I8, are to be renderedanimated. The central area vI3 is for display copy, painted on thebackground, outlined in lights, or otherwise delineated. The two linesof vibratile elements 'I9 and 20 are constructed according to the secondspecies of the invention and are shown in the inactive condition andhence, they also cover the outlines I9" and -20 on the background whichare to be rendered apparently in motion when the device is operating.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to theparticular type of transmission line shown, as various othercombinations of mass and elasticity in line elements capable ofvibrating in response to elastic waves to modulate the view of orappearance of design outlines, may be arranged to carry out the purportof this invention within the broad language of the claims. Further, inthe type of line shown various Vmodifications may be made in theconstruction.

It -is further to -be understood vthat the invention Vis not ylimited tothe means shown for vestablishing waves on the line, as various otherknown driving means may be utilized in carrying out Ythe invention asclaimed. For instance, an electric vibrator tuned to the frequency -ofthe vibratile'elements may beused to initiate the i vane exposed to bemoved Vby the Wind may be used. The invention may be practiced with orwithout the use of Wavedamping means.

The transmission line illustrated is of the transverse vibration typehaving a series of vibratile elements I4, each independentlyvresiliently mounted to a common support, in this case the bar 2H. Eachof the elements comprises a head 23 and an elastic arm'25. The Weight ofthe head acting against the elasticity of the arm constituteseach'element a vibrating couple. 'I'hese elements are arranged in a lineand coupled to each other by the cable 26. As :the vibrations on theline are transmitted from one element to the v `next by transversevibration, the cable need not 29' sol as Ato constitute thecentral partof the 6 passage as the bearing point of the cable on the headv 23; Thefree length of the cable from element to element is thus substantiallythe ele- 'ment vspacing distance along the line, which a1'- rangementpermits of spacing the elements close to each other and still havesufficient free cable length to forni a line of desirablecharacteristics.

This 'transmission line may be manufactured in a very practical form bymolding it in a sing-le piece, including all of the component parts withthe exception of the cable, from any of several resins or plasticmaterials on the market, one example being cellulose acetate. Severalsuch materials are available, which in thin sections are quite elasticto form the elastic arms, and in thicker sections have ample rigidityand mechanical strength to 'form the heads. Thus, the arms 215 may becast of thin section, such as the oblong design shown in Figures Q and'10, forming a very satisfactory elastic arm. YBy making use ofthermoplastic material, it is quite simple to heat and bend the bar 24'to follow the courses of curved outlines of moderate curvature. Anadditional advantage of molded plastic construction is that color may-be cast into the piece itself to serve the purposes of the inventionvas regards the display effects as explained in connection with Figures3 and 4, such coloring being' Very brilliant and permanent.

The transmission line is bolted to the background sheeting 30 by bolts3l. In application to display boards a number of such lines v'may beoperated together from a single motive unit by means of links, rods orcables. Individual lines may be bent to follow moderate ycurves. Sharp`angles' in outlines may Vbe dealt with by coupling individual linestogether 'by means of links as shown in the perspective view of Figure18 in which two lines 3? and 33 are coupled by the link 34 which isattached tothe elements 35 and 36 by flexible coupling means, such asrubber blocks, at the points 31 and 38.

In Figure 6 a transmission line with a driving unit and a damping unitis shown in elevation. The view is taken along a line of sight parallelto the background and shows the parts in front of the background and theparts in the rear. Of the various types of driving meanswhich lmight beused I have chosen the positive drive, gear reduction, electric motor,which, since it drives through a crank, imposes a wave of constanamplitude and frequency on the line.

This unit includes the motor housing formed by the lbase casting 4I),the housing shell vIII and the gear housing d2. The base casting has-two integral ears a3 and 44 by means of which it is bolted to the rearsurface of the background by the bolts 55. The `unit is indicatedgenerally vby the lnumeral 9. An opening'il through the background -isprovided to pass the drive arm III through to the front of the sign.

The high speed rotor -48 within the housing drives the crank as throughthe gear train 50.

The drive arm Iii, which is integral with the yoke frame 5I, oscillateson the shaft M. The lower cross bar of this frame, indicated by 52 isIslotted to 'receive lthe `spherical roller 53 on the Vcrank brated onefrom another, vvav'e motion alongthe line takes place with each elementmoving trans- 'Ve'rse'of the featureL outline being animated. The

line constitutes aV mechanical' analogl of' anielcctic transmissionline, and may be designed by following the well known laws of wavemotion. v

Various types of wave motion may be established on this line, withcorresponding variations in the final animation effects produced. Whenone end of the line is vibrated to produce wave 4motion along the lineand means are provided '-to prevent the waves from being reiiected backat the opposite end from the drive point the re- .sulting motion is thatof unidirectional waves on the line. The most desirable effect forgeneral display purposes is the unidirectional travel, produced by thistype of wave motion, which is had by complete absorption of the energyreceived at the end of the line opposite the driven end and theprevention of reflection of wave motion back to the driven end. This isaccomplished by the use of a resistor or wave damper Il provided withthe driven arm l2 which, with the driving arm l of the motor, holds thecable taut.

The damper, of the dash pot type includes the body 56 having theintegral ears 61 by means of which it is bolted to the rear surface ofthe background by means of bolts 45. This body is in the form of an openshell which, together with the two end plates '5l and 58, forms a wedgeshaped chamber in which the blade 59 oscillates, sweeping over theinside surfaces of the covers and the bottom wall 60 of the chamber. Theblade is integral with the cylindrical member which turns in thecylindrical seats 62 and 63 of the body and carries the driven arm l2 towhich the cable is attached.

The blade 59 divides the chamber into two spaces 68 and 69, tending toforce fluid out of one space and draw uid into the other space as itoscillates. These two spaces are in communication with each otherthrough the passages 'IIJ and 'll and the needle valve 12. By adjustmentof the valve the resistance to iiuid flow between the spaces is varied.By variations in the properties of the uid used, the capacity of thedevice to introduce a factor of resilience in the end of the line may becontrolled. Generally a noncompressible fluid such as hydraulic brakefluid is preferred for furnishing pure resistive impedance at the end ofthe line.

In operation the damper is adjusted to introduce the desired impedanceat the end of the line to maintain the type of wave motion desired. Whena pure unidirectional wave is desired fairly close control tosubstantially prevent all reflection can be had to a practical degree.In practice, resort may be had to fixed impedances of a variety of typeson the theory that an impedance value close enough to give satisfactoryresults may be set for a given line and installed 4with the line, or ifresults are not entirely satisfactory a quick change may be made atlittle cost. Thus adjustable wave dampers may be found to be unnecessaryin practice.

For some purposes the wave damper may be eliminated, and the end of theline held to a fixed point or left free to vibrate. Different types ofwave motion may thus be obtained, as for instance, standing waves, orvarious combinations of standing waves and traveling waves.

In adaptation to display devices, transmission lines may extend in anydesired direction over the backgrounds. They may be driven by individualmotive units, or by suitable rod, links or cables, a number of lines maybe driven from a single central power unit. By taking advantage .of thatfeature of the invention, animation may be provided extending for veryconsiderable distances over backgrounds with the power supply beingbrought to but a single or a very few points, making for very economicalconstruction.

By observing good engineering practice in the design of the lines theymay be constructed to dissipate very little power to the background,thus making it entirely practicable to instal1 these devices on boardsand sign bodies of standard construction with little or noreenforcement, It is to be expected that a vibratory reaction will existat the two ends of the line, but in any case this is very easily met andcompensated for by the introduction of sufficient mass at those points.

Considering now the specific constructions of, and the effects producedby, the invention in its different species, we have reference now toFigures 3, 4 and 5 to show the effects produced, Figures 9 and ll toshow the surface finishes or coloration distinctive of the first andsecond species, and Figures 13 to 15 showing the construction of andprinciple of operation of the lenticular elements of the third species.

According to the invention in its irst species, the animation effectobserved is the aggregate effect of the direct View of the heads of theelements themselves as they oscillate. In order that the elements shouldbe the distinctive feature of the exhibit and display their ownmovement, the exposed surface of each element should be finished tocontrast sharply with the background. In Figure 11 this is shown by thesurfaces 'l5 which are finished black to show against the backgroundwhich is indicated as white in Figure 3. The background areas which lieimmediately behind the elements when they are at rest, and which arehere exposed at l5, T and 18 where the elements have swung to the sides,should be iinished white.

Thus the effect observed is that of a sinuous line apparently moving asa wave along the border. Figure 3 shows the desired effect. Actually, ofcourse, as each element moves to its extreme position it will expose oneside of the resilient arm 25 to the front View and a portion of thesupport bar 2A. In order to reduce the visibility of these surfaces, thesides of the arms should be finished white as indicated by 19 in Figure1l and the exposed surface of the support bar should be similarlynished. In Figure 12 one of the vibratile elements is shown in endelevation in the solid lines, and in one extreme position of itsoscillation in broken lines, the surfaces finished as above beingsimilarly indicated.

According to the second species of the invention, as illustrated inFigure 4, the effect observed is due to the various exposure andconcealment of portions of an outline delineated on the background bythe vibratile elements as they oscillate thereacross. The elementsshould thus be iinished so that in themselves they are not noticeable.Thus, in Figure 9 I have shown the front surfaces 15 nished in white soas to merge into the background to View, The inscription outline may bedelineated by the support bar 24. Thus I have shown the surface 80 ofthis bar finished black to contrast sharply with the white background.

The animation effect produced by the device of this species is that ofshort sections of the outline on the background, separated by whitesections, moving in one direction along the border. These sections areindicated in Figure 4 by 8l, 82 and 83v where the vibratile elementshave swung to one side or the other. At the sections indicated by 84vand 85, the vibratile elements are concealing the border, and since theyare finished to merge to view into the background, the border appears tobe broken at these places. Since the sides of the resilient arms 25 areexposed when the elements are swung to the sides, these surfaces arefinished in black as indicated by 19 in Figure 9.

The effects of the rst and second species may be combined by appropriatevariations of the surface finish of the elements.

The invention in its third species, the effect of which is shown inFigure 5, utilizes vibratile elements of the refracting type, preferablyin the form of elongated'lenses, as shown in Figure 13. The vibratingcouple here consists of the mass in the lens 9| acting against theelasticity of the wire arm 90 which is securely held to the support bar24. The lens is secured to the arm by the eye nut 92 through which thecable 26 passes. The lenses constitute the mass members of the vibratileelements. They are secured at their central points to the wires by theeye nuts 92. The wire arm is used in this form of the transmission lineto provide the least optical obstruction.

Since the wire is resilient in all directions the cable 26 is dependedupon to prevent longitudinal displacement of the elements relative toeach other and hence it should be soldered or clamped at each of thepoints 93 with the eye nuts. Otherwise the transmission lines of theinvention in this species are similar to and are driven by the samedevices as those of the other species.

In Figure 14 the optical arrangement of the lenses is shown. Theinscription outline may, as a practical matter, consist of the surfacefinish of the support bar which is shown as black in Figure 13 tocontrast with a white background. The lenses are preferably located atfocal distance from this surface. When the element is in its medialposition the entire surface of the lens wil1 then appear black to aperson directly in front. The angle to the field of view over which thelens will be seen as black will depend on the width of the inscriptionoutlineA Thus, rays gather from the point a at one edge of the outlinewill be projected to the field of view in a beam included between thebracketed rays as indicated by a', while rays gathered from the oppositeedge of the outline at b will similarly be projected as indicated by b.=From all points in the eld of view between the extreme rays of thesetwo beams, the lens will appear dark. From all points outside of thisregion the lens will focus on or very close to the white background andwill appear white.

As the lens swings to one side of center as shown in Figure 15 the focalpoint as regards a position in front of the sign shifts to thebackground, and hence the lens will appear white as seen under thiscondition. But from a point of view to one side of the sign. asindicated by d the focus will now be on the inscription outline, as ate, and the lens will appear dark. By making the focus sharpv on theoutline the change from `dark to light will be practically simultaneousall over the surface of the lens. By making the inscription outlinerelatively narrow the effect is produced by a relatively slightdisplacement of the lens.

Referring now to Figure in which the effect desired is illustrated:Those sections of the line of lenses which are indicated by 95, '9B and91 include lenses which are, from the `point of view various ways.

directly in front of the sign, focusing on the background, and hencethey appear white. The sections indicated by 98, 99 and |00 includelenses which are, in passing the central position. focusing on theinscription outline, and hence they appear black from a positiondirectlyin front of the sign. As the lenses oscillate back and forth inresponse to a unidirectional wave on the line, these dark and lightsections will shift in appearance in the direction of the wave movement.Hence in the embodiment of the invention shown in this view, whichincludes means to maintain unidirectional waves, a traveling effect fromthe top to the bottom of the border will be produced. This effect willbe clearly visible over a substantial angle to each side of the centerof the field of vier, depending, of course, on the dimensioning of theelements and the amount of displacement of the wave motion. Generally,av very slight movement of the elements is sufficienty to produce astriking effect over a comparatively wide field.

The inscription outline may be illuminated by any of the known methods.Thus, by way Vof illustration of the use of illuminated outlines to beanimated by any of the species of the invention, I have shown in Figure16 the use of a luminous tube l0! in connection with a transmission lineof the third species. The lenses should come to focus approximately onthe tube and certain mechanical modifications are called for to adaptthe transmission line to this use. Thus, the support bar 24 is offsetfrom the central position behind the tube to permit of the usual tubesupports, and the resilient arm has been given a conformation as shownto avoid hitting the tube.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figure 17, the vibratingcouple consists ofthe combined mass of the head 23 and the rigidV arm|02 acting against the elasticity of the soft rubber tube |03, which iscemented to the support rod |04, in torsion. A series of such tubes arecemented at intervals along the rod and studs |06, welded tothe rodprovide support from the background of the sign. Surrounding theperiphery of the resilient tube and cemented to it is the metal tube |05which carries the rigid'V arm |02 which carries the head 23.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to theembodiments shown, or in its application to the details of constructionor arrangement of parts illustrated, since itis capable of otherembodiments and of being carried out in the phraseology or terminologyemployed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation,and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond therequirements of the prior art.

The terms refracting and lenticular are used to describe the opticalproperties, or forma-Y tions producing optical effects, broadlyembracing the modulation of the view of or appearance The term vibratileelement as used in the claims denes an element having an elastic partAlso, it is to be understood thatl and a part having mass which formswith said elastic part a vibrating couple characterized by a naturalperiod of oscillation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A display device including a background member across which the eiectof an animated outline is to be produced, a series of vibratile elementscontrasting in appearance to said background connected one to the nextin an elastic wave transmission line by means through which thevibration of one element is transmitted to successive elements along theline as elastic wave motion, said transmission line extending along thecourse of said outline, each of said vibratile elements being formed tovisibly oscillate across the corresponding portion of said background inresponse to wave motion along said transmission line, and means toimpart wave motion to said transmission line to oscillate said vibratileelements and thereby produce the eiect of animation therealong.

2. A display device including a background member across which theeffect of an animated outline is to be produced, a series of vibratileelements contrasting in appearance to said background, each resilientlymounted to a common support and :formed to visibly oscillate across saidbackground in response to wave motion, said vibratile elements beingconnected one to the next in an elastic wave transmission line by meansthrough which the vibration of one element is transmitted to successiveelements along the line as elastic wave motion, said transmission lineextending along the course of said outline, and means to impart Wavemotion to said trans'- mission line to oscillate said vibratile elementsand thereby produce the effect of animation therealong.

3. A display device including a background member across which theeffect of an animated outline is to be produced, a series of vibratileelements contrasting in appearance to said background connected one tothe next in an elastic wave transmission line |by means through whichthe vibration of one element is transmitted to successive elements alongthe line as elastic wave motion, said transmission line extending alongthe course of said outline, each of which vibratile elements is adaptedto visibly oscillate across the corresponding portion of said backgroundin response to wave motion along said transmission line, means at oneend of said transmission line to impart wave motion thereto and means atthe opposite end of said line to limit reflection of the Waves, wherebyto produce directional waves along said line and, by virtue of theoscillation of said vibratile elements in response thereto, the effectof animation therealong.

4. A display device including a background member exhibiting aninscription outline which is to be rendered in apparent animation, aseries of vibratile elements, each resiliently mounted to' a commonsupport, connected one to the next in an elastic wave transmission lineby means through which the vibration of one element is transmitted tosuccessive elements along the line as elastic wave motion, saidtransmission line extending along the course of said outline, each ofsaid vibratile elements 'being adapted to oscillate across thecorresponding portion of said outline in response to wave motion alongsaid transmission line and in said oscillation to variously modulate theview of said outline portion, and means to impart Wave motion to saidtransmission line to oscillate said vibratile elements and therebyproduce the effect of animation along said outline by virtue of theaggregation of said modulation eiects.

5. A display device exhibiting an inscription outline which is to berendered in apparent animation, a series of vibratile elements connectedone to the next in an elastic Wave transmission line by means throughwhich the vibration of one element is transmitted to successive elementsalong the line as elastic wave motion, said transmission line beingcoextensive with said inscription outline, each of said elements beingformed and mounted to vibrate in such fashion as to modulate theappearance of its corresponding portion of said outline when oscillatingin response to Waves on said transmission line and means to impose wavemotion on said transmission line.

6. A display device including a background member bearing an inscriptionoutline which is to be rendered in apparent animation, a series ofvibratile refracting elements connected one to the next in an elasticwave transmission line by means through which the vibration of oneelement is transmitted to successive elements along the line as elasticwave motion, said transmission line being coextensive with said outline,each of said elements being formed and mounted to vibrate in suchLfashion as to modulate the appearance of its corresponding portion ofsaid outline when oscillating in response to Waves on said transmissionline and means to impose wave motion on said transmission line.

7. A display device including a series oi vibratile elements connectedone to the next in an elastic Wave transmission line by means throughwhich the vibration of one element is transmitted to successive elementsalong the line as elastic wave motion, said transmission line extendingalong a course denitive of an inscription outline, said elements beingso formed that in their oscillation in response to Wave motion on saidtransmission line they individually medulate the appearance of thecorresponding portions of the outline depicted and thereby in theaggregate produce the effect of animation along said outline, and meansto establish wave motion on said transmission line.

8. A display device including a series of vibratile elementsindividually resiliently mounted to a common support and connected oneto the next in an elastic wave transmission line by means through whichthe vibration of one element is transmitted to successive elements alongthe line as elastic Wave motion, said transmission line extending alonga course definitive of an inscription outline, said elements being soformed that in their oscillation in response to wave motion on saidtransmission line they individually modulate the appearance of thecorresponding portions of the outline depicted and thereby in theaggregate produce the eiect of animation along said outline, and meansto establish wave motion on said transmission line.

9. A display device including a series of vibratile elements connectedone to the next in an elastic wave transmission line by means throughwhich the vibration of one element is transmitted to successive elementsalong the line as elastic wave motion, said transmission line extendingalong a course definitive of an inscription outline, said elements beingso formed that in their oscillation in response to wave motion on saidtransmission line they individually modulate the appearance of thecorresponding portions of the outline depicted and thereby in theaggregate produce the effect of animation along said outline, means atone end of said transmission line to impart wave motion thereto andmeans at the opposite end of said line to limit reflection of the Waveswhereby to produce directional waves, along said line.

10. A display device exhibiting an inscription outline, a plurality ofvibratile elements connected one to the next in an elastic Wavetransmission line by means through which the vibration of one element istransmitted to successive elements along the line as elastic Wavemotion, said transmission line extending along the course of saidoutline, each of said elements having a refracting portion formed tovariably refract light rays passing from the corresponding portion ofsaid outline to the field of view as it oscillates in response to Wavemotion on said transmission line and thereby modulates the appearance ofsaid outline portion, and means to establish Wave motion along saidtransmission line to oscillate said vibratile elements and therebyproduce the effect olf animation therealong.

1l.. A display device including a background member exhibiting aninscription outline, a plurality of vibratile elements connected one tothe next in an elastic wave transmission line by means through which thevibration of one element is transmitted to successive elements along theline as elastic wave motion, said transmission line extending along thecourse of said outline, each of said elements having a refractingportion formed to variably refract light rays passing from thecorresponding portion of said outline to the eld of view as itoscillates in response to Wave motion on said transmission line andthereby modulates the appearance of said outline portion, and means toestablish wave motion along said transmission line to oscillate saidvibratile elements and thereby produce the eiect of animationtherealong.

12. A display device including a background member exhibiting aninscription outline, a plurality of vibratile elements individuallyresiliently mounted to a common support and connected one to the next inan elastic Wave transmission line by means through which the vibrationof one element is transmitted to successive elements along the line aselastic Wave motion, said transmission line extending along the courseof said outline, each of said elements having a refracting portionformed to variably refiraot light rays passing from the correspondingportion of said outline to the field of View as it oscillates inresponse to Wave motion on said transmission line and thereby modulatesthe appearance of said outline portion, and means to establish wavemotion along said transmission line to oscillate said vibratile elementsand thereby produce the effect of animation therealong.

13. A display device including a background member exhibiting aninscription outline, a plurality of vibratile elements connected one tothe next in an elastic Wave transmission line by means through which theVibration of one element is transmitted to successive elements along theline as elastic wave motion, said transmission line extending along thecourse of said outline, each of said elements including a lenticularmember positioned approximately at focal distance from said outline, andeach of said elements being formed to vibrate across said outline whenenergized by elastic Waves on said transmission line, and means toestablish wave motion on said transmission line.

14. A display device including a background member exhibiting aninscription outline, a plurality of vibratile elements connected one tothe next in an elastic wave transmission line by means through which thevibration of one element is transmitted to successive elements along theline as elastic Wave motion, said transmission line extending along thecourse of said outline, each of said elements including a lenticularmember positioned approximately at focal distance from said outline, andeach olf said elements being formed to vibrate across said outline whenenergized by elastic Waves on said transmission line, and means toestablish unidirectional wave motion on said transmission line.

FRED HOTCHNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,626,286 Keenan Apr. 26, 19271,889,763 Stayton Dec. 6, 1932 2,194,537 Adams Mar. 26, 1940 2,197,975Fleet Apr. 23, 1940 2,389,911 Hotchner Nov. 27, 1945

